ESS 1 - The Earth and earth minerals as we know them today have developed over a long period of time, through continual change processes. ESS 1 (5-8) INQ+POC -1 - Use Geological evidence provided to support the idea that the Earths crust/lithosphere is composed of plates that move 1a- Citing evidence and devising a logical argument for plate movement using fossil evidence, layers of sedimentary rock, locations of minerals deposits, and shape of continents.
Context of Lesson:
In this lesson the students will be getting a short lesson on continental drift and Wegeners theory. Then the students will be reviewing concepts on how to write an essay. This is a lesson that being in a middle school will allow me to talk to the English teacher and be sure that the students have learned the key components to writing essays. After the short lesson on Wegeners theory and continental drift, the students will be writing an essay for the remainder of the period based on this theory. The students must describe the theory as well as explain the effects these moving continents will have on the future of the world. For those students who do finish in the 50 minute class period, they will be allowed to peer edit each others papers and for those who do not finish the essay will be for homework. The purpose of this essay assignment will be to practice with essays, and intellectual writing which will be used during the inquiry assignment on global warming later in the unit.
Opportunities to Learn:
Depth of Knowledge
DOK 3 Strategic Thinking- Students will be explaining their thinking based on the effects of continental drift. Also students will be making predictions about what will happen as the continents continue to drift today. The students will be using reasoning and evidence while writing their essays.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students will have known that their are different plates on Earth which are constantly moving in all different directions. The students will be using this information to connect with the knowledge they will be learning today about Wegeners Theory. This knowledge that the Earth is made up of different plates is crucial for students understanding of this unit.
Plans for Differentiating Instruction
Advanced Student- This student will be told that he can exceed the 1-2 pages if he or she wishes, and will be more inept to express what they think will happen with continuing continental drift.
Lower Level Student- This student will be able to concentrate more on explaining Wegeners theory and will be less likely to actually explain what they think will happen with continuing continental drift.
Accommodations and modifications
For Lower level students the teacher may give 4 or 5 options as to what will happen to the globe if continental drift continues to occur. The students will then be able to pick one of these situations and for the paragraph where they have to explain what they think will happen with continuing continental drift they will be able to explain why they picked the option they choose. This will allow the students not to be afraid to make a prediction because the teacher is listing options, the student will simply have to explain why the prediction makes sense to them.
Environmental factors
Students will be sitting in their seating assignments for the lecture, and then will be working alone while writing their papers. If they finish the assignment then they will be able to peer edit with another student who is done with their essay.
Materials
Globe, Essay Rubric
Objectives:
The objective of this assignment is for the students to be able to explain continental drift and Wegeners theory plus the effects continental drift has had and will continue to have on the Earth..
Also for the students to practice their intellectual writing skills by stating what they will think will happen with the continuing continental drift. This technique of writing is going to be crucial to the students inquiry assignment and it is definitely necessary to give the students this assignment this way they can improve their writing skills.
Instruction:
Opening:
In this class the students will be viewing the globe and seeing if their are any pieces on the globe which seem like they would fit together. This would lead into a discussion on how it seems like the different continents would fit together. The teacher would then show the students pictures of how the earth use to be one large continent named Pangea, and then was broken into the many other continents over the years.
Then the teacher will introduce Wegeners theory to the class in a mini lesson on the overhead. This will give the students some background knowledge on the topic and allow the students to develop opinions and ideas on what they feel will happen to the world if the continents continue moving.
The engagement of this lesson is the students actually writing their essays. They will follow the rubric provided which will include describing Wegeners theory as well as describing what they believe is in store for the earths future due to the continental drift.
The students will be making predictions based on what they learned in the video and what was taught to them in the lesson about Wegeners theory and writing them in an essay format.
The students will be forced to think objectively about what will happen to the earth due to the continual continental drift. Making predictions about the future is an important part of science which students will be able to practice while completing this essay.
The teachers role will be to keep the students on task and be available to answer any questions or concerns the students may have.
Closure:
When the students are finished writing their essay they will be allowed to switch essays with one of their peers. This will allow the students who finish the assignment early a chance to fix any grammatical errors in their essays.
The students will be told that the essay must be typed and returned for homework in 2 days. Also it is important to remind the students to be sure that their essay conforms with the standards on the rubric which was provided to them.
Assessment:
The essays will be collected and graded based on the rubric given to the students.
Also questions on the key concepts from the lecture will appear on the Unit test.
Lesson Plan
Link to The Changing Earth Unit
Next Lesson
Lesson Title: Wegener Essay
State Standards:
ESS 1 - The Earth and earth minerals as we know them today have developed over a long period of time, through continual change processes.ESS 1 (5-8) INQ+POC -1 - Use Geological evidence provided to support the idea that the Earths crust/lithosphere is composed of plates that move
1a- Citing evidence and devising a logical argument for plate movement using fossil evidence, layers of sedimentary rock, locations of minerals deposits, and shape of continents.
Context of Lesson:
In this lesson the students will be getting a short lesson on continental drift and Wegeners theory. Then the students will be reviewing concepts on how to write an essay. This is a lesson that being in a middle school will allow me to talk to the English teacher and be sure that the students have learned the key components to writing essays. After the short lesson on Wegeners theory and continental drift, the students will be writing an essay for the remainder of the period based on this theory. The students must describe the theory as well as explain the effects these moving continents will have on the future of the world. For those students who do finish in the 50 minute class period, they will be allowed to peer edit each others papers and for those who do not finish the essay will be for homework. The purpose of this essay assignment will be to practice with essays, and intellectual writing which will be used during the inquiry assignment on global warming later in the unit.Opportunities to Learn:
Depth of Knowledge
DOK 3 Strategic Thinking- Students will be explaining their thinking based on the effects of continental drift. Also students will be making predictions about what will happen as the continents continue to drift today. The students will be using reasoning and evidence while writing their essays.Prerequisite Knowledge
Students will have known that their are different plates on Earth which are constantly moving in all different directions. The students will be using this information to connect with the knowledge they will be learning today about Wegeners Theory. This knowledge that the Earth is made up of different plates is crucial for students understanding of this unit.Plans for Differentiating Instruction
Advanced Student- This student will be told that he can exceed the 1-2 pages if he or she wishes, and will be more inept to express what they think will happen with continuing continental drift.Lower Level Student- This student will be able to concentrate more on explaining Wegeners theory and will be less likely to actually explain what they think will happen with continuing continental drift.
Accommodations and modifications
For Lower level students the teacher may give 4 or 5 options as to what will happen to the globe if continental drift continues to occur. The students will then be able to pick one of these situations and for the paragraph where they have to explain what they think will happen with continuing continental drift they will be able to explain why they picked the option they choose. This will allow the students not to be afraid to make a prediction because the teacher is listing options, the student will simply have to explain why the prediction makes sense to them.Environmental factors
Students will be sitting in their seating assignments for the lecture, and then will be working alone while writing their papers. If they finish the assignment then they will be able to peer edit with another student who is done with their essay.Materials
Globe, Essay RubricObjectives:
Instruction:
Opening:
Engagement:
Closure:
Assessment:
Reflections
(only done after lesson is enacted)